Reputed Latin King seeks bail

Prosecutors describe Luis Colon as flight risk.

August 05, 2010|By Matt Birkbeck, OF THE MORNING CALL

PHILADELPHIA — The alleged head of the Bethlehem Latin Kings made his bid for bail Thursday, asking a federal judge to allow him to return home under electronic monitoring to care for his four children.

But a federal prosecutor pointed out Luis Colon Jr. is facing mandatory life sentences for drug and conspiracy to commit murder charges and argued he should remain imprisoned until his trial.

"There is a risk of danger and of his flight," Assistant U.S. Attorney John Gallagher said. "If there is ever an incentive for someone to not appear in court, this is it."

Colon, 26, also known as "King Respect," was arrested two weeks ago in an early morning raid by local, state and federal law enforcement that netted 35 alleged Latin Kings on a variety of charges.

Three alleged Latin Kings have been freed on bail, while the rest were imprisoned pending trial or already were in prison on other charges.

Colon has been held in isolation at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia after waiving his initial detention hearing. But his attorney, Stephen Britt, claimed restrictions at the Special Housing Unit have hampered his contact with Colon.

Britt, in requesting Colon's release on bail, also asked the court for his release into the general prison population. Britt said Colon's father, Luis Colon Sr., would put up his Bethlehem home as security if his son was released on bail. Colon, sitting next to his attorney in drab green prison cloths, looked back several times towards his father during the hearing.

U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky reserved his decision on the bail request, but he expressed concern that Colon did not have adequate access to his attorney.

Lee Tatum, associate warden at the prison, said Colon's placement in isolation was a routine precaution to determine whether Colon, given his alleged leadership position with the Latin Kings, was a security risk.

Tatum said 19 alleged Latin Kings arrested in the Bethlehem sweep were being held in Philadelphia, and it was important to "understand the gang dynamic before we release leaders." He indicated the facility had little previous experience with Latin Kings.

Tatum said Colon was scheduled for a final interview before his threat to security could be determined. Barring unforeseen problems, Tatum said Colon could be released into the general population soon.

Prosecutors released photos on Monday they say show Colon handling several drugs, including marijuana, crack and cocaine over a three year period. Britt did not refute any of the charges or Colon's criminal history, which includes two felony drug convictions, at Thursday's hearing.

Instead, Britt said Colon was needed at home to care for his children while his girlfriend worked 12-hour shifts at a nursing home. Colon would agree to electronic monitoring and no access to cell phones, said Britt.

Slomsky said he wanted to review court reports on the case before making his decision.